Stirred & Shaken: Reserve 101's Hemingway

At one end of the specialty cocktail list at Reserve 101 (1201 Caroline, 713-655-7101), there's a drink called a Hemingway, and at the other end, a drink called a Bubble Gum Martini. I'm not all that macho, but I know what side of that scale I'd rather slide to. As for the drink, I'm not so sure Papa Hemingway ever went for a mix of rum, orange liqueur and lime juice. (Side note: Despite the legend, he never really drank mojitos, either.)

It wasn't bad, though -- the citrus overpowers the rum a bit, resulting in a kind of warped margarita flavor. I drank it at the galley bar among a few guys in office wear. Bartender Stephanie told me Reserve, which has a big whiskey selection and a knowledgeable staff, gets busy during happy hour and later at night when service industry people stop in and shows let out at the House of Blues across the street.

If you like this story, consider signing up for our email newsletters.

SHOW ME HOW

Newsletters

SUCCESS!

You have successfully signed up for your selected newsletter(s) - please keep an eye on your mailbox, we're movin' in!

I didn't stick around long enough to see who would roll out of Slim Thug's album release party, but I did drink enough to call Stephanie "Liz Lemon." That made her do this awkward, quasi-frustrated "I get that all the time" gesture, which made her seem even more Tina Fey-like. And that's enough to make me want to tip like a drunken Russian on a hot streak at the roulette wheel, if I had the money.

Reserve 101's Hemingway

1¾ ounces Pyrat XO Reserve rum

½ ounce Patrón Citronge orange liqueur

¼ ounce fresh lime juice

Shake over ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.